ORANGE SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22743, 1 June 1937, Page 10

ORANGE SUPPLY

FREEDOM TO IMPORT DECEMBER-APRIL PERIOD NO LIMIT ON QUANTITIES [by TEI.ECIIAPH —l it ESS ASSOCIATION' ] WELLINGTON, Monday The acting-Minister of Customs, the Hon. Mark Fagan, stated to-day th it consideration had been given by the Government to tho question of the importation of oranges during the period from November to the end of April next. ''lt. will be remembered," said the i Minister, "that permission has been given for the importation of 180,000 export cases of South Australian oranges during the period from May to November next. The Government considers that this quantity, together • with the 90,000 cases expected to (>OlllO j from the Cook Islands, will be sufficient 1 to meet local demands. Should it be ! found inadequate, however, permission 1 will be granted for the importation of further quantities. Safeguarding Island Growers "The Government is under an obligation to ensure that shipments of oranges from other sources do not clash with those from the Cook Islands, in order that a satisfactory price may be realised by the growers. In former 1 years, owing to the commitments of importers of Jamaican fruit oranges were not in general permitted entry into the Dominion from the fly-free area in New South Wales and Victoria. The shortage of citrus fruit and ! tho inordinately high prices at first realised for Jamaican fruit in Novem- : bcr last, when the first shipment was | sold at auction at prices ranging up to 67s per case, was an experience which will be fresh in tho public I mind. "The Government at that time made j an arrangement with the importers to : refund several thousands of pounds to ; tlie retailers, and indirectly to the ] public, in order to bring the price of oranges down to more reasonable levels. The Government is determined to prevent, if possible, a repetition of that experience. Early Advice to Importers "It lias therefore been decided that from the beginning of December, or earlier if necessary, to the end of April next, importers are to be free to import oranges from fly-free areas in Australia, and from any fly-free country such as Jamaica, without restriction as to quantity, but subject to the production of the certificates required by the Department of Agriculture. This announcement is made in order that prospective importers of Jamaican oranges may be aware of the decision at the earliest possible date, and may be in a position to make arrangements for the importation of oranges from Australia. "The etfeet of this decision," said Mr. Fagan, "will be that during the period named, so far as the New Zealand Government is concerned, oranges may be imported in any quantity from the fly-free sources in Australia. The ; Australian Commonwealth Government i has been notified of tho altered position."